Air Pollution & Obesity: Liver Fibrosis Risk in MASH
- New York City residents battling metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) face a considerably elevated risk of liver fibrosis if they also contend with obesity and exposure to air pollution,...
- The study, drawing data from the MASLD/MASH Center of Excellence Registry & Biobank, examined 422 adults and 41 children. It found that individuals with obesity, defined as a...
- certain neighborhoods in the Bronx and brooklyn, including Morris Park, Co-op City, and williamsburg, were identified as high-risk areas. Researchers noted that these findings align with previous studies...
NYC residents with MASH face a heightened risk of liver fibrosis if they also grapple with obesity and air pollution. This critical finding stems from a new study published in _Digestive Diseases and Sciences_,revealing that exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) nearly doubles the odds of liver stiffness in at-risk individuals. Certain neighborhoods across the Bronx and Brooklyn are identified as high-risk areas. Higher income levels, a bit unexpectedly, correlated with a greater fibrosis risk in specific subgroups. Though, access to green spaces and education showed some protective effects, suggesting that lifestyle plays a crucial role in liver health. News Directory 3 reported on the study. Discover what’s next in the fight against environmental and lifestyle factors contributing to liver disease.
NYC Air Pollution, Obesity Linked to Higher Liver Fibrosis Risk
Updated June 23, 2025
New York City residents battling metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) face a considerably elevated risk of liver fibrosis if they also contend with obesity and exposure to air pollution, according to a study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences. The research highlights the impact of environmental and lifestyle factors on liver health.
The study, drawing data from the MASLD/MASH Center of Excellence Registry & Biobank, examined 422 adults and 41 children. It found that individuals with obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m², living in areas with high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution,had nearly twice the odds (OR,1.85) of developing notable liver fibrosis.
certain neighborhoods in the Bronx and brooklyn, including Morris Park, Co-op City, and williamsburg, were identified as high-risk areas. Researchers noted that these findings align with previous studies demonstrating the combined negative effects of obesity and air pollution on MASH.
While Staten Island and Brooklyn showed the highest mean liver stiffness scores at 15.75 kPa and 12.6 kPa respectively, Manhattan, despite having the largest patient pool, recorded the lowest mean score at 8.9 kPa. A healthy liver typically registers between 2 and 6 kPa.
Interestingly,the study revealed that higher neighborhood income correlated with greater odds of fibrosis in specific subgroups,including adults with diabetes and Hispanic individuals of North or Central American descent. Researchers suggest this might potentially be due to referral biases or lifestyle changes following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Access to educational resources and public parks appeared to offer some protection. Higher high school graduation rates and proximity to green spaces were associated with lower odds of significant fibrosis in non-hispanic patients and those with diabetes.
Moderate alcohol consumption,below hazardous levels,was linked to lower odds of significant fibrosis. Though, the authors cautioned that this finding might reflect reverse causality or self-reporting bias.
What’s next
The study authors emphasize the need for further research to pinpoint at-risk populations and implement effective screening and treatment strategies for metabolic liver disease, especially in urban environments.